Facing the sect leader's reprimand, Shangguan Hong's face flushed slightly with shame. When Chu Xingchen was about to draw his sword, he had backed down. Just standing beside Yaoqin as she unleashed that sword strike made Shangguan Hong feel as though the shadow of death was looming over him. At this moment, in this situation, Shangguan Hong could only lower his head and apologize:
"My sincerest apologies, honored guests. I was overthinking things."
Once Yaoqin unleashed that sword strike, all doubts were instantly dispelled.
Chu Xingchen looked somewhat regretful and tried to stop them: "Don't rush off. I really am not a disciple of the Tianyan Sect."
Hearing this, the sect leader quickly turned his gaze to Zheng Xiaofeng.
Zheng Xiaofeng was barely holding it together. It was you who tacitly allowed that old fool Shangguan to dig his own grave, and now I have to clean up the mess? Being a senior elder is truly frustrating.
"Honored guests, let's focus on the matter at hand," Zheng Xiaofeng said, forcing a smile as he cupped his hands in respect. "Your identities are beyond doubt. Whatever you need, the Qingfeng Sect will do its best to assist."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen looked regretful. After returning the sword to Yaoqin, he slowly sat back down in his chair and spoke with a serious expression:
"Two matters. The first is the main reason for our visit this time."
"We have received a request from Yuzhou City. A group of demonic cultivators has been conducting large-scale blood sacrifices, suspected of planning something major. They have fled to this area, and I demand that you conduct a thorough investigation."
Hearing this, the Qingfeng Sect leader breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they weren't here to cause trouble, it was fine. He quickly replied:
"Since it concerns the righteous path, we naturally cannot refuse. May I ask what the second matter is?"
Chu Xingchen's gaze turned icy as he looked at Shangguan Hong: "The reputation of the Tianyan Sect is not something just anyone can question."
The sect leader did not respond but instead turned his gaze back to Zheng Xiaofeng.
Great! Another life-threatening question for me to handle!
Zheng Xiaofeng sighed inwardly, then cupped his hands and continued: "Elder Shangguan, he..."
He paused for a moment, finally coming up with an excuse: "He was merely concerned that someone might be using the Tianyan Sect's name to deceive others."
Chu Xingchen's tone suddenly turned cold: "So, according to you, even with our tokens, my senior sister and I don't look like disciples of the Tianyan Sect but more like frauds?"
Zheng Xiaofeng hurriedly replied: "Of course not... of course not."
Before Zheng Xiaofeng could continue explaining, Chu Xingchen abruptly raised his hand to cut him off:
"I don't care what rules your Qingfeng Sect follows, but from now on, we'll do things according to the Tianyan Sect's rules! For as long as I am investigating at the Qingfeng Sect, Elder Shangguan will spend each day in confinement!"
Zheng Xiaofeng could only look to the sect leader, as this matter was beyond his authority. Shangguan Hong's seniority in the Qingfeng Sect far exceeded his own.
"This matter, I agree," the sect leader said without hesitation. He then turned to the other two elders and said, "You two, personally escort Elder Shangguan to the confinement chamber."
The two elders cupped their hands in acknowledgment and led Shangguan Hong away.
With Shangguan Hong gone, Chu Xingchen's expression softened instantly, as if his earlier harshness had been directed solely at Shangguan Hong.
Seeing this, the sect leader also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this was personal, not about the sect. That was manageable. He then asked:
"Honored guests, how may the Qingfeng Sect assist you?"
Chu Xingchen smiled confidently, as if he had a brilliant plan:
"Just send people out, using the Qingfeng Sect as the center, and conduct a comprehensive, carpet-like search in all directions. Force those demonic cultivators out of hiding."
The Qingfeng Sect leader: "..."
Is this even a plan?
If we make such a big show of searching, the demonic cultivators will have already fled before we even encounter them. Moreover, the scope of such a search would be impossible to estimate once we move further out.
But forget it. From what just happened, it seems these two are just disciples who enjoy making a scene. Whether the demonic cultivators are caught or not has nothing to do with the Qingfeng Sect. Might as well humor these youngsters to avoid further trouble.
After a moment of thought, the sect leader smiled and agreed:
"As expected of the Tianyan Sect's elite disciples. This is indeed a foolproof plan. The Qingfeng Sect will arrange for people to carry it out."
Chu Xingchen looked pleased with this response, then pointed to Zheng Xiaofeng beside him:
"I like the way this guy talks. He'll assist me during this mission."
Zheng Xiaofeng was about to say something, but his sect leader agreed faster:
"No problem. Xiao Zheng, you will accompany our honored guest from the Tianyan Sect."
The utterly powerless "Xiao Zheng" could only nod in agreement.
"Good. I'll come back if there's anything else," Chu Xingchen said with satisfaction. He then glanced at the ruined hall and asked, "We don't have to pay for the damages, do we?"
The sect leader just wanted to see these two troublesome guests leave as soon as possible and quickly replied:
"Of course not."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen strode out of the hall: "Good. Xiao Zheng, come with us."
Yaoqin also stood up without hesitation and followed.
With a sigh, Zheng Xiaofeng hurriedly followed as well.
Led by Chu Xingchen, the three of them walked straight toward the sect's main gate.
At this moment, many disciples lining the corridors were cautiously watching Chu Xingchen and Yaoqin.
That sword strike earlier had shocked the entire Qingfeng Sect.
Moreover, the fact that the two of them could walk out unscathed after unleashing such a strike meant that not only were they powerful, but they also had formidable backing.
Zheng Xiaofeng followed closely behind the two.
Chu Xingchen had his reasons for acting this way.
Within the Qingfeng Sect, it wasn't just the Golden Core cultivator guarding the mines who had been involved in the demonic rituals. One person alone couldn't have pulled off something of this scale.
When the elders and the sect leader had entered earlier, Chu Xingchen had used his system to scan their profiles.
Based on their profile descriptions, the other elders didn't seem to have any issues—for now.
Only Shangguan Hong was different.
The last time Chu Xingchen had scanned him, the black descriptor "Plagued by Inner Demons" had been replaced with the blue descriptor "Postnatal Demonic Body."
And "Postnatal Demonic Body" was the descriptor of the Golden Core demonic cultivator from the mines.
This meant that Shangguan Hong had undoubtedly joined the ranks of the demonic cultivators during this period.
Now that they had their initial lead, they needed to follow it and dig deeper.
First, they had to blind one of their eyes, making the situation seem murky to them. Only then could they stir the waters and fish in troubled waters.
If they directly attacked the mines, they wouldn't be able to lure out all the big fish.
This was why Chu Xingchen had deliberately provoked Shangguan Hong—his real goal was to have Shangguan Hong confined, making the rest of the snakes uneasy. Only then would they cautiously poke their heads out to assess the danger.
Secondly... this shortsighted Zheng Xiaofeng behind him wasn't he an easy-to-use and highly persuadable tool?
Chu Xingchen conveyed his thoughts to Yaoqin through a voice transmission.
Yaoqin's reply was brief: "Understood."
After the three of them had walked a distance from the Qingfeng Sect's entrance, Chu Xingchen suddenly stopped.
Zheng Xiaofeng also stopped and asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"
Chu Xingchen turned around and spoke as if sighing: "It's not easy playing the role of a humble host, is it?"
Zheng Xiaofeng was stunned. Why did this guy's words always hit right where it hurt?
Just as he was unsure how to respond, Chu Xingchen's face broke into a smile:
"Now, there is a better path for you,"
Chu Xingchen paused, then enticed:
"Do you like the Tianyan Sect?"
Option 1: Give both
Option 2: Choose one to give
Option 3: Choose one from the above two
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
